I've got to agree with Stu on this. Personally, I don't find it appealing. However, this design really looks like a conscious push by the publishers to draw young children to the book on the store shelves. It reminds me of many of the other modern children's covers out there. The classic Tolkien drawn Hobbit cover might not be "keeping up with the times" in the children's section at Barnes and Noble anymore. My kids are only 3 (obviously not the target audience), but I guarantee they would grab this one off the shelf before the classic cover.

Looks like a touch of Pauline Baynes influence too, now that I think of it. - Just a touch.